Location update operations for idle mode terminals with a plurality of wireless communication interfaces

ABSTRACT

A method that includes providing, by an active radio of a mobile station that comprises a plurality of radios wherein each radio is associated with a corresponding paging group having its own paging controller, a location update on behalf of an idle radio of the plurality of radios to a paging controller of the active radio&#39;s corresponding paging group. The method also includes providing, by the paging controller of the active radio&#39;s corresponding paging group, the location update to a paging controller of the idle radio&#39;s corresponding paging group. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field ofheterogeneous wireless networks, and more particularly, to locationupdate operations for idle mode terminals with a plurality of wirelesscommunication interfaces.

BACKGROUND

Mobile Stations (MS) are powered on a wireless network for significanttime durations, but are not always in an active call session. To use thetimes they are not in an active call session as battery conservingopportunities, idle mode and paging operations are defined in many ofthe mobile wireless network standards including, but not limited to,Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Alliance, Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX) Forum, Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP). Per such defined operations, an MS enters a low-powered modecalled idle mode and there are specified mechanisms in the varioustechnologies to let the MS get back to active mode whenever required,e.g., when there is an incoming call for the MS, when the network needsto know the location of the MS, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numeralsdesignate like structural elements. Embodiments of the invention areillustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram representation of an example wirelesscommunication system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of an example platform withmultiple radios;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram representation of a location updateoperation in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram representation of a location updateoperation in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representation of an example processor systemthat may be used to practice various aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numeralsdesignate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by way ofillustration embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structuralor logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments inaccordance with the present invention is defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations inturn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments ofthe present invention; however, the order of description should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are order dependent.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down,back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used tofacilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict theapplication of embodiments of the present invention.

For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A/B” means A orB. For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A and/or B”means “(A), (B), or (A and B)”. For the purposes of the presentinvention, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means “(A), (B),(C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)”. For the purposesof the present invention, the phrase “(A)B” means “(B) or (AB)” that is,A is an optional element.

The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “inembodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same ordifferent embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,”“having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of thepresent invention, are synonymous.

Embodiments of the present invention provide location update operationsfor idle mode terminals with a plurality of wireless communicationinterfaces.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example wireless communication system 100 mayinclude one or more wireless communication networks, generally shown as110, 120, and 130. In particular, the wireless communication system 100may include a wireless personal area network (WPAN) 110, a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) 120, and a wireless metropolitan area network(WMAN) 130. Although FIG. 1 depicts three wireless communicationnetworks, the wireless communication system 100 may include additionalor fewer wireless communication networks. For example, the wirelesscommunication system 100 may include additional WPANs, WLANs, and/orWMANs. The methods and apparatus described herein are not limited inthis regard.

The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or moresubscriber stations, generally shown as 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148. Forexample, the subscriber stations 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 may includewireless electronic devices such as a desktop computer, a laptopcomputer, a handheld computer, a tablet computer, a cellular telephone,a pager, an audio and/or video player (e.g., an MP3 player or a DVDplayer), a gaming device, a video camera, a digital camera, a navigationdevice (e.g., a GPS device), a wireless peripheral (e.g., a printer, ascanner, a headset, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.), a medical device (e.g.,a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), and/or othersuitable fixed, portable, or mobile electronic devices. Although FIG. 1depicts five subscriber stations, the wireless communication system 100may include more or less subscriber stations.

Each of the subscriber stations 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 may beauthorized or allowed to access services provided by one or more of thewireless communication networks 110, 120, and/or 130. The subscriberstations 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 may use a variety of modulationtechniques such as spread spectrum modulation (e.g., direct sequencecode division multiple access (DS-CDMA) and/or frequency hopping codedivision multiple access (FH-CDMA)), time-division multiplexing (TDM)modulation, frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) modulation, orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation (e.g., orthogonalfrequency-division multiple access (OFDMA)), multi-carrier modulation(MDM), and/or other suitable modulation techniques to communicate viawireless links. In one example, the laptop computer 140 may operate inaccordance with suitable wireless communication protocols that requirevery low power such as Bluetooth®, ultra-wide band (UWB), and/or radiofrequency identification (RFID) to implement the WPAN 110. Inparticular, the laptop computer 140 may communicate with devicesassociated with the WPAN 110 such as the video camera 142 and/or theprinter 144 via wireless links.

In another example, the laptop computer 140 may use direct sequencespread spectrum (DSSS) modulation and/or frequency hopping spreadspectrum (FHSS) modulation to implement the WLAN 120 (e.g., the 802.11family of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical andElectronic Engineers (IEEE) and/or variations and evolutions of thesestandards). For example, the laptop computer 140 may communicate withdevices associated with the WLAN 120 such as the printer 144, thehandheld computer 146 and/or the smart phone 148 via wireless links. Thelaptop computer 140 may also communicate with an access point (AP) 150via a wireless link. The AP 150 may be operatively coupled to a router152 as described in further detail below. Alternatively, the AP 150 andthe router 152 may be integrated into a single device (e.g., a wirelessrouter).

The laptop computer 140 may use OFDM modulation to transmit largeamounts of digital data by splitting a radio frequency signal intomultiple small sub-signals, which in turn, are transmittedsimultaneously at different frequencies. In particular, the laptopcomputer 140 may use OFDM modulation to implement the WMAN 130. Forexample, the laptop computer 140 may operate in accordance with the802.16 family of standards developed by IEEE to provide for fixed,portable, and/or mobile broadband wireless access (BWA) networks (e.g.,the IEEE std. 802.16-2004 (published Sep. 18, 2004), the IEEE std.802.16e (published Feb. 28, 2006), the IEEE std. 802.16f (published Dec.1, 2005), etc.) to communicate with base stations, generally shown as160, 162, and 164, via wireless link(s).

Although some of the above examples are described above with respect tostandards developed by IEEE, the methods and apparatus disclosed hereinare readily applicable to many specifications and/or standards developedby other special interest groups and/or standard developmentorganizations (e.g., Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Alliance, WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) Forum, Infrared DataAssociation (IrDA), Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), etc.).The methods and apparatus described herein are not limited in thisregard.

The WLAN 120 and WMAN 130 may be operatively coupled to a common publicor private network 170 such as the Internet, a telephone network (e.g.,public switched telephone network (PSTN)), a local area network (LAN), acable network, and/or another wireless network via connection to anEthernet, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, a coaxialcable, and/or any wireless connection, etc. In one example, the WLAN 120may be operatively coupled to the common public or private network 170via the AP 150 and/or the router 152. In another example, the WMAN 130may be operatively coupled to the common public or private network 170via the base station(s) 160, 162, and/or 164.

The wireless communication system 100 may include other suitablewireless communication networks. For example, the wireless communicationsystem 100 may include a wireless wide area network (WWAN) (not shown).The laptop computer 140 may operate in accordance with other wirelesscommunication protocols to support a WWAN. In particular, these wirelesscommunication protocols may be based on analog, digital, and/ordual-mode communication system technologies such as Global System forMobile Communications (GSM) technology, Wideband Code Division MultipleAccess (WCDMA) technology, General Packet Radio Services (GPRS)technology, Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) technology, UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology, 3GPP technology,standards based on these technologies, variations and evolutions ofthese standards, and/or other suitable wireless communication standards.Although FIG. 1 depicts a WPAN, a WLAN, and a WMAN, the wirelesscommunication system 100 may include other combinations of WPANs, WLANs,WMANs, and/or WWANs. The methods and apparatus described herein are notlimited in this regard.

The wireless communication system 100 may include other WPAN, WLAN,WMAN, and/or WWAN devices (not shown) such as network interface devicesand peripherals (e.g., network interface cards (NICs)), access points(APs), redistribution points, end points, gateways, bridges, hubs, etc.to implement a cellular telephone system, a satellite system, a personalcommunication system (PCS), a two-way radio system, a one-way pagersystem, a two-way pager system, a personal computer (PC) system, apersonal data assistant (PDA) system, a personal computing accessory(PCA) system, and/or any other suitable communication system. Althoughcertain examples have been described above, the scope of coverage ofthis disclosure is not limited thereto.

In the example of FIG. 2, a platform 200 may include a plurality ofwireless communication devices or radios 205, generally shown as 210,220, and 230. The platform 200 may be a part of and/or integrated intoone of the wireless electronic devices mentioned above in connectionwith FIG. 1 or any combination thereof. For example, the platform 200may also include a message generator 250, a device selector 260, acontroller 270, and a memory 280. The plurality of radios 205, thedevice selector 250, the message generator 260, the controller 270, andthe memory 280 may be operatively coupled to each other via a bus 290.While FIG. 2 depicts components of the platform 200 coupling to eachother via the bus 290, these components may be operatively coupled toeach other via other suitable direct or indirect connections (e.g., apoint-to-point connection or a point-to-multiple point connection).Further, although FIG. 2 depicts three radios, the platform 200 mayinclude more or less radios.

Each of the plurality of radios 205 may include a receiver (RX),generally shown as 214, 224, and 234, and a transmitter (TX), generallyshown as 216, 226, and 236. Accordingly, each of the plurality of radios205 may receive and/or transmit data via the receivers 214, 224, and 234and the transmitters 216, 226, and 236, respectively. Each of theplurality of radios 205 may also include an antenna, generally shown as218, 228, and 238. Each of the antennas 218, 228, and 238 may includeone or more directional or omni-directional antennas such as dipoleantennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstripantennas, and/or other types of antennas suitable for transmission ofradio frequency (RF) signals. Although FIG. 2 depicts a single antennaassociated with each of the plurality of radios 205, each of theplurality of radios 205 may include additional antennas. For example,each of the plurality of radios 205 may include a plurality of antennasto implement a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system.

Each of the plurality of radios 205 may be associated with a wirelesscommunication network such as, for example, a WPAN, a WLAN, a WMAN, aWWAN, or a wireless mesh network. As noted above in connection with FIG.1, each type of wireless communication network may operate based on aparticular wireless communication technology. To illustrate theapplication of the plurality of radios 205 with heterogeneous wirelesscommunication networks, the radio 210 may operate based on Wi-Fitechnology, the radio 220 may operate based on WiMAX technology, and theradio 230 may operate based on Third Generation (3G) technology. Each ofthe plurality of radios 205 may be used to perform various applicationsbased on a variety of factors such as quality of service (QoS), cost perbit, coverage area, mobility, etc. In one example, the radio 210 may beused for transmission control protocol (TCP) and/or web browsing, theradio 220 may be used for video streaming, and the radio 230 may be usedfor voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). Although the plurality ofradios 205 is described above to operate in a particular manner, theplurality of radios 205 may be used to perform various applications.

Briefly, Wi-Fi technology may provide high-speed wireless connectivitywithin a range of a wireless access point (e.g., a hotspot) in differentlocations including homes, offices, cafes, hotels, airports, etc. Inparticular, Wi-Fi technology may allow a wireless device to connect to alocal area network without physically plugging the wireless device intothe network when the wireless device is within a range of a wirelessaccess point (e.g., within 150 feet indoor or 300 feet outdoors). In oneexample, Wi-Fi technology may offer high-speed Internet access and/orVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service connection to wirelessdevices. The 802.11 family of standards was developed by IEEE to providefor WLANs (e.g., the IEEE std. 802.11a published 1999, the IEEE std.802.11b published 1999, the IEEE std. 802.11 g published 2003,variations, and/or evolutions of these standards). The Wi-Fi Alliancefacilitates the deployment of WLANs based on the 802.11 standards. Inparticular, the Wi-Fi Alliance ensures the compatibility andinter-operability of WLAN equipment. For convenience, the terms “802.11”and “Wi-Fi” may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure torefer to the IEEE 802.11 suite of air interface standards.

WiMAX technology may provide last-mile broadband connectivity in alarger geographical area (e.g., hot zones than other wireless technologysuch as Wi-Fi technology. In particular, WiMAX technology may providebroadband or high-speed data connection to various geographicallocations where wired transmission may be too costly, inconvenient,and/or unavailable. In one example, WiMAX technology may offer greaterrange and bandwidth to enable T1-type service to businesses and/orcable/digital subscriber line (DSL)-equivalent access to homes. The802.16 family of standards was developed by IEEE to provide for fixed,portable, and/or mobile broadband wireless access networks (e.g., theIEEE std. 802.16-2004 published 2004, the IEEE std. 802.16e published2006, the IEEE std. 802.16f published 2005, variations, and/orevolutions of these standards). The WiMAX Forum facilitates thedeployment of broadband wireless access networks based on the IEEE802.16 standards. In particular, the WiMAX Forum ensures thecompatibility and inter-operability of broadband wireless equipment. Forconvenience, the terms “802.16” and “WiMAX” may be used interchangeablythroughout this disclosure to refer to the IEEE 802.16 suite of airinterface standards.

Third Generation technology may provide broad-range coverage for voicecommunications, data access, and/or Internet connectivity across widegeographic areas. In particular, 3G technology may provide greatmobility for devices whose primary function is voice services withadditional data applications as a complement to those services. Forexample, such devices may include cellular telephones that may alsoprovide interactive video conferencing, or a handheld computers (orPDAs) that may provide full-playback DVD services. To provide suchhigh-speed wireless communication services, the International MobileTelecommunications (IMT-2000) family of standards was developed by theInternational Telecommunications Unit (e.g., W-CDMA, CDMA2000, etc.).

Although the above examples are described with respect to particularwireless communication technologies, the plurality of radios 205 mayoperate based on other suitable types of wireless communicationtechnology. For example, one of the plurality of radios 205 may operatebased on UWB technology instead or the plurality of radios 205 mayinclude an additional radio that may operate based on UWB technology.

To reduce power consumption, bandwidth usage, processing resources,etc., one or more of the plurality of radios 205 may operate in idlemode. In particular, each of the plurality of radios 205 may be inactivebut readily available to operate in active mode if necessary. Each ofthe plurality of radios 205 may monitor for a paging message from acorresponding node (e.g., an access point or a base station) via apaging channel. For example, the paging message may be indicative of anincoming communication such as a voice call, a text message, streamingmedia, etc. In response to receipt of the paging message, one or more ofthe plurality of radios 205 may receive the incoming communication. Inaddition or alternatively, an individual may manually select one or moreof the plurality of radios 205 to operate in active mode instead of idlemode.

Instead of each of the plurality of radios 205 performing or executingseparate processes to either enter into or exit from idle mode, theplatform 200 may coordinate and process a single request for at leastone of the plurality of radios 205 to either enter into or exit fromidle mode as described in detail below. In particular, the messagegenerator 250 may generate an idle mode message. For example, the idlemode message may include information associated with the plurality ofradios 205 such as identification, idle duration, recent communication,and/or other suitable information of each of the plurality of radios205. The idle mode message may be an idle mode entry request or an idlemode exit request. In particular, the message generator 250 may generatean idle mode entry request to initiate idle mode for at least one radioof the plurality of radio 205. The message generator 250 may generate anidle mode exit request for at least one radio of the plurality ofcommunication devices 205 to exit from idle mode.

The device selector 260 may select one of the plurality of radios 205 tooperate as a proxy to transmit the idle mode message from the messagegenerator 250. In one example, the device selector 260 may select theradio that uses the lowest transmit power to transmit the idle modemessage(s). In another example, the device selector 260 may also selectthe radio that is currently in active mode or the last radio totransmit. In yet another example, each of the plurality of radios 205may take turns to transmit idle mode message(s) for a predefined timeperiod in a round-robin manner. Alternatively, an individual maydesignate one of the plurality of radios 205 to transmit the idle modemessage.

The controller 270 may operate at least one of the plurality of radios205 in idle mode based on paging information of an idle mode entryresponse. In particular, the paging information may include paging cycleand/or paging offset for at least one of the plurality of radios 205.For example, the radio 220 may be awake for ten milliseconds (ms) everysecond to monitor for a paging message. The controller 270 may alsoestablish a direct wireless communication link between one of theplurality of radios 205 and a corresponding node.

The memory 280 may store the idle mode information and/or the paginginformation associated with each of the plurality of radios 205. Forexample, the idle mode information may include information provided bythe platform 200 such as identification information of each of theplurality of radios 205, and which one of the plurality of radios 205was selected to transmit the idle mode message (i.e., proxy device). Theidle mode information may also include a length of time that each of theplurality of radios 205 may have been operating in idle mode (i.e., idleduration). The paging information may include information from at leastone paging controller for at least one of the plurality of radios 205 tooperate in idle mode. As noted above, for example, the paginginformation may include information associated with paging cycle, pagingoffset, and/or other suitable information.

Although the components shown in FIG. 2 are depicted as separate blockswithin the platform 200, the functions performed by some of these blocksmay be integrated within a single semiconductor circuit or may beimplemented using two or more separate integrated circuits. In oneexample, although the receiver 214 and the transmitter 216 are depictedas separate blocks within the radio 210, the receiver 214 may beintegrated into the transmitter 216 (e.g., a transceiver). In anotherexample, the message generator 250, device selector 260, and/or thecontroller 270 may integrated into a single component (e.g., aprocessor). The methods and apparatus described herein are not limitedin this regard.

Since there are numerous types of wireless networks, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention, as noted above, manymobile stations include multiple radios, for example, a WIFI-WIMAXcombo, a WIFI-3G combo, a WIMAX-3G combo, etc. and each technologygenerally has its own paging specification for the air interface and theaccess network.

Instead of tracking the exact location of an idle mode MS at all times,the wireless technologies generally provide procedures to keep track ofits approximate location, often designated by a Paging Group (PG), also,known as a tracking area or a location area. Typically, a PG comprises acluster of one or more base stations and/or access points that areadministered by a paging controller. The network only maintains thecurrent PG of an idle mode MS. When in idle mode, if the MS moves awayfrom its current PG and enters a new PG, its location information isupdated. This procedure is also referred to as a location update. Inthis manner, the network keeps track of the location information of theidle mode MSs to the accuracy of a last known Paging Group. The networkuses the approximate location information of an idle mode MS to locateand set up new connections with it. Whenever required, the MS isprecisely tracked to its associated base station by sending a broadcastmessage within all base stations that comprise the MSs current PG.

Referring to FIG. 3, an MS, in various embodiments, has n number ofradios, specifically, r_1, r_n. Additionally, each radio has its own setof applications that will invoke it. Thus, radio r_i will be invoked bya set of applications denoted by s_i. With respect to each radio, the MSmay be in a connected or in an idle mode.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, a radio, specifically, r_i, is in a connectedmode and, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention, may be used to perform a location update on behalf of an idleradio, for example, r_k. A response from the network may also come onthe connected radio r_i. Such an arrangement allows for minimizingsignaling overhead. Such an arrangement also prevents network access andcontentions from occurring on the network to which radio r_k isconnected.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, aprocedure as illustrated in FIG. 3 allows for the location update forMSs. As may be seen in FIG. 3, a radio, for example, r_i, is connectedand is used to perform a location update on behalf of an idle radio, forexample, r_k. A response from the network may also come on the connectedradio r_i. Such an arrangement allows for minimizing signaling overhead.Thus, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,an arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 3 allows for the location updatefor MSs to be performed over a connected radio for radios that are in anidle mode. As may be seen, a location update message 300 is sent by theMS on radio r_i on behalf of radio r_k by forwarding the location updatemessage to a current base station or access point of radio r_i. The MSmay choose radio r_i based upon a number of factors such as, forexample, whether the radio is available and currently in an active mode,the cost of sending a message on this radio, the quality of serviceoffered by the wireless network through which the radio communicates,etc. The message is forwarded on to the paging controller of radio r_i,which forwards the location update message to the paging controller ofradio r_k. In accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention, the paging controller of radio r_k processes the locationupdate request message and a location update response message 302 forthe mobile station may be forwarded from the paging controller of radior_k to paging controller of radio r_i, which forwards the locationupdate response message to the base station/access point of radio r_i,which forwards the location update response to the mobile stationitself.

With reference to FIG. 4, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention, a radio may be selected for handling location updatemessages and location update response messages for multiple radios,whether or not the radio is in a connected or in an idle mode. Onceagain, for example, radio r_i is used for handling the location updatemessages and location update response messages. Thus, as may be seen inFIG. 4, there are, as an example, three radios. More specifically, radior_i, radio r_j, and radio r_k. The mobile station may choose radio r_ifor sending the aggregated location updates on radios r_i, r_j and r_kbased upon a number of factors like whether the radio is currentlyavailable, the cost of sending a message on a particular radio, thequality of service offered by the wireless network through which aparticular communicates, etc. One location update message 400 for allthree radios is sent by the MS to the base station/access point of radior_i, which forwards the location update message to the paging controllerof radio r_i. The paging controller of radio r_i forwards the locationupdate message 400 j, 400 k to the paging controllers of radio r_j andradio r_k, respectively, and may also process the location updatemessage locally. In accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention, one or both of paging controller of radio r_j and radio r_kmay process the location update request and forward a location updateresponse message 402 j, 402 k, respectively, to the paging controller ofradio r_i. The paging controller of radio r_i forwards a location updateresponse 402 (either separate or combined) to the base station or accesspoint of radio r_i, which forwards the location update response messageto the mobile station.

Multiple base stations and/or access points may be utilized intransmitting and forwarding the various messages.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example processor system 2000 adapted toimplement the methods and apparatus disclosed herein, in accordance withvarious embodiments. The processor system 2000 may be a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computer, aPDA, a server, an Internet appliance, and/or any other type of computingdevice. The processor system 2000 may be used as a STA, a base station,an AP, or a server hosting the paging controller function.

The processor system 2000 illustrated in FIG. 5 may include a chipset2010, which includes a memory controller 2012 and an input/output (I/O)controller 2014. The chipset 2010 may provide memory and I/O managementfunctions as well as a plurality of general purpose and/or specialpurpose registers, timers, etc. that are accessible or used by aprocessor 2020. The chipset 2010 may be implemented using one or moreWireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) components, Wireless Local AreaNetwork (WLAN) components, Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN)components, Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) components, and/or othersuitable networking components. In particular, in various embodimentsdesigned to be a STA or a paging service, the chipset 2010 may beendowed with the teachings of the present invention, implementingselected aspects of the above described paging mechanism. The processor2020 may be implemented using one or more processors, e.g. those of theIntel® Core™ technology, Intel® Pentium® technology, the Intel® Itanium®technology, the Intel® Centrino™ technology, the Intel® Core™ Duotechnology, the Intel® Xeon™ technology, and/or the Intel® XScale®technology. In the alternative, other processing technology may be usedto implement the processor 2020. The processor 2020 may include a cache2022, which may be implemented using a first-level unified cache (L1), asecond-level unified cache (L2), a third-level unified cache (L3),and/or any other suitable structures to store data.

The memory controller 2012 may perform functions that enable theprocessor 2020 to access and communicate with a main memory 2030including a volatile memory 2032 and a non-volatile memory 2034 via abus 2040. The volatile memory 2032 may be implemented by SynchronousDynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory(DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM), and/or any othertype of random access memory device. The non-volatile memory 2034 may beimplemented using flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), and/or any otherdesired type of memory device. In various embodiments designed to beused as a server, suitable for hosting the above described pagingservice function, main memory 2030 may include (a non-persistent copy ofthe) instructions implementing all or portions of the above describedpaging controller function.

The processor system 2000 may also include an interface circuit 2050that is coupled to the bus 2040. The interface circuit 2050 may beimplemented using any type of interface standard such as an Ethernetinterface, a universal serial bus (USB), a third generation input/output(3GIO) interface, a WiFi interface, a WiMAX interface, and/or any othersuitable type of interface. In various embodiments designed to be a STAor AP, selected aspects of the above described paging mechanism may beimplemented in interface circuit 2050, in addition to or in lieu of theendowment in chipset 2010.

One or more input devices 2060 may be connected to the interface circuit2050. The input device(s) 2060 permit an individual to enter data andcommands into the processor 2020. For example, the input device(s) 2060may be implemented by a keyboard, a mouse, a touch-sensitive display, atrack pad, a track ball, an isopoint, and/or a voice recognition system.

One or more output devices 2070 may also be connected to the interfacecircuit 2050. For example, the output device(s) 2070 may be implementedby display devices (e.g., a light emitting display (LED), a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a printerand/or speakers). The interface circuit 2050 may include, among otherthings, a graphics driver card.

The processor system 2000 may also include one or more mass storagedevices 2080 to store software and data. Examples of such mass storagedevice(s) 2080 include floppy disks and drives, hard disk drives,compact disks and drives, and digital versatile disks (DVD) and drives.In various embodiments designed to be used as a server, suitable forhosting the above described paging service function, mass storagedevice(s) may include (a non-persistent copy of the) instructionsimplementing all or portions of the above described paging controllerfunction.

The interface circuit 2050 may also include a communication device suchas a modem or a network interface card to facilitate exchange of datawith external computers via a network. The communication link betweenthe processor system 2000 and the network may be any type of networkconnection such as an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line(DSL), a telephone line, a cellular telephone system, a coaxial cable,etc.

Access to the input device(s) 2060, the output device(s) 2070, the massstorage device(s) 2080 and/or the network may be controlled by the I/Ocontroller 2014. In particular, the I/O controller 2014 may performfunctions that enable the processor 2020 to communicate with the inputdevice(s) 2060, the output device(s) 2070, the mass storage device(s)2080 and/or the network via the bus 2040 and the interface circuit 2050.

While the components shown in FIG. 5 are depicted as separate blockswithin the processor system 2000, the functions performed by some ofthese blocks may be integrated within a single semiconductor circuit ormay be implemented using two or more separate integrated circuits. Forexample, although the memory controller 2012 and the I/O controller 2014are depicted as separate blocks within the chipset 2010, the memorycontroller 2012 and the I/O controller 2014 may be integrated within asingle semiconductor circuit.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described hereinfor purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety ofalternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated toachieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shownand described without departing from the scope of the present invention.Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments inaccordance with the present invention may be implemented in a very widevariety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptationsor variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it ismanifestly intended that embodiments in accordance with the presentinvention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A method comprising: providing, by an active radio of a mobile station that comprises a plurality of radios wherein each radio is associated with a corresponding paging group having its own paging controller, a location update on behalf of an idle radio of the plurality of radios to a paging controller of the active radio's corresponding paging group; and providing, by the paging controller of the active radio's corresponding paging group, the location update to a paging controller of the idle radio's corresponding paging group.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the location update to at least two other radio paging controllers of paging groups corresponding to idle radios of the plurality of radios.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the location update to at least one other radio paging controller of a paging group corresponding to another active radio of the plurality of radios.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the location update to at least two other radio paging controllers of paging groups corresponding to other active radios of the plurality of radios.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the active radio, a location update response to the location update, from the paging controller of the active radio's corresponding paging group, wherein the location update response was forwarded on behalf of the paging controller of the idle radio's corresponding paging group.
 6. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of radios, each radio being associated with a corresponding paging group having its own paging controller; and a control block operatively coupled to the plurality of radios and adapted to control a first, active radio to transmit a location update on behalf of at least a second, idle radio of the plurality of radios to a paging controller of the first, active radio's corresponding paging group for forwarding to a paging controller of the second, idle radio's corresponding paging group.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control block is further adapted to control the first, active radio to receive a location update response to the location update, from the paging controller of the first, active radio's corresponding paging group and forwarded on behalf of the paging controller of the second, idle radio's corresponding paging group.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control block is further adapted to control the first, active radio to provide the location update to at least two other radio paging controllers of paging groups corresponding to idle radios of the plurality of radios.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control block is further adapted to control the first, active radio to provide the location update to at least one other radio paging controller of a paging group corresponding to another active radio of the plurality of radios.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control block is further adapted to control the first, active radio to provide the location update to at least two other radio paging controllers of paging groups corresponding to other active radios of the plurality of radios. 